Magnetic Actuators use magnetic effects to generate forces which impact on the motion of a part in the actuator.
The first large family of magnetic actuators is based on the magnetic forces acting at distance, the Laplace-Lorentz forces and the reluctance forces. Linear types offer strokes in the range of 1 to 20mm, and are complementary to piezo actuators. They can be sorted in 3 categories:
The second family of magnetic actuators is based on magnetically-controlled active materials. Two types are used by CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES for innovative devices :
The third broad family of magnetic actuators is the electric motors also called electric rotating machines. CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES computes all sizes as services but develops only small electric motors, such as Brushless DC motors (BLDC) and stepper motors.
These technologies are presented in the examples hereafter. You can also download our Piezo and magnetic products catalogue. Furthermore, publications are available on magnetic actuators.
To offer an alternative to piezo DTT for fast steering mirrors (FSM), CTEC develops also magnetic actuators based FSM: the M-FSM. The M-FSM mechanism volume contains the mirror, the actuators, the guiding and the Eddy Current position Sensors (ECS) position sensors.
Free Space Optic (FSO) communication links,laser guide star, laser designators…
CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES develops customised ElectroMagnetic Actuators, which are dedicated to customer’s specific applications when off the shelves standard products are not suitable. They cover a wide spectrum of applications and markets such as industry, automotive (for example, e-Lift 3 project with PSA), air & space, medtec, etc.
Valve actuation, locking and unlocking Pin-puller, contactor...
MICA™ actuator fullfills requirements in which compact, highly dynamic, precise, reliable and robust actuators are needed. This technology has been designed to fill the gap between the well known voice coil and the solenoid technologies.
Valve control, pump and compressor actuation, test benches, vibration generation, active control of vibrations, fast gripper, fast positioning...
Upon request of CNES, the French National Space Agency, CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES has designed a resettable electromagnetic actuated pin puller, called BRUCE (Broche Rétractable Utilisant une Commande Electromagnétique)
Space, electomagnetic, pin puller...
The Moving Coil Actuator is based on the Lorentz-Laplace force, which is strictly proportional to the applied current. This is the most usual linear magnetic controllable actuator. Several CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES voice coils have been developed for space application (ex MTG, IASI).
High linearity actuators, Aerospace...
The Moving Magnet Actuator is based on a permanent magnet moving between two opposite electromagnets. It is a bistable magnetic actuator with high force at rest. CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES's BLMM are miniature linear actuators.
Locking mechanisms, Vibrations generators, Micro-valves...
The Limited Angle Torque (LAT) actuator offer a rotating motion over an angle of +/- 15°. Thanks to its principle and an elastic guiding, it offers a smooth, high resolution rotative motion and precise pointing assemblies for air & space & optic applications.
High resolution rotating motion, Micro nano Positioning, Pointing, Scanning
CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES upgrades Commercially Of The Shelves (COTS) BLDC Brushless DC motors for improving torque & speed and for reducing electric power, by means of FLUX FEM re-design, parts changes and tests on benches for micro rotating motors.
BLDC Micro Motors for demanding applications : air & space, UAVs ...
A single phase rotating stepper micro motor featuring axial tunable air gap and flat permanent magnet has been developed in FP6 M2EMS EC project, in collaboration with CEA and ETA. This stepping motor is compatible with Si technologies.
Micro-Motors, Micro-technologies...
CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES' Magnetostrictive actuators are solid state magnetic actuators based on Terfenol-D Giant Magnetostrictive Materials. They can be designed to produce high forces (>20kN) & large strokes (>200µm) at low voltage (<12V) in static or dynamic.
High Force Generator, Low Voltage actuators, Sound transducers (sonar) ...
The multi-channel Linear Amplifier LA24 is designed as a low noise, high bandwidth linear amplifier for finely driving every magnetic actuator from CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES.
Positioning, Stabilization
Power supplies for piezo or magnetic actuators, sensors & mechatronic systems based on 3.7V (typical) lithium polymer cells voltage.
Embedded piezo & magnetic actuators, motors, sensors, mechanisms, valves
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